Fact Sheet

www.efficiencymaine.com

Contacts:

Linda Viens, Program Manager, (207) 287-7327

Efficiency Maine: Susan Benson Tompkins, Marketing Manager, (207) 846-3714

Energy Efficiency Pays: A Guide for the Small Business Owner

The State of Maine’s Public Utilities Commission and Small Business Development Center were first in the nation to step in to print and distribute, Energy Efficiency Pays: A Guide for the Small Business Owner.

Here is a select list of tips and facts from the 45-page booklet:

· Compact fluorescent bulbs consume 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

· There’s no reason to wait until old lights wear out to replace them. With some new technologies, such as T-8 fluorescent lights and light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs, you can start saving money on energy and maintenance costs right away.

· Semi-annual maintenance checks are just as important for your HVAC system as changing the oil in your car every 3,000 miles.

· A new ENERGY STAR-labeled 50-cubic-foot commercial refrigerator uses about 2,500 kilowatt hours per year and costs about $205 a year to run – a 30 percent savings over a standard commercial refrigerator.

The Guide encourages small business owners to:

· Buy energy-efficient products, from light bulbs to office machines to water heaters.

· Create a new budget line to plan for energy-related expenses.

· Hire an HVAC contractor to understand what to look for and how to work together.

· Plan upgrades to include more energy-efficient technologies when remodeling their facility.

Small business owners can contact Efficiency Maine Small Business Program toll free at 1-866-376-2463 to obtain a free copy of the guide.